NIHL CONFIRMS CUPS, PLAYOFF AND PROMOTION FORMATS FOR NEW SEASON

A twelve-team national cup competition is one of the main items confirmed by the League Management Committee as National Ice Hockey League format and structure discussions have been concluded ahead of the 2017/18 season.

The set up of the league competitions was confirmed late last month with two divisions in each of the north and south sections of the league. D1 North (Moralee) and D2 North (Laidler) each have ten teams, D1 South (Britton) has nine teams, while D2 South (Wilkinson) has 14 teams.

Playoffs for Division 1 teams will feature the top eight sides playing home and away ties over three successive weekends to crown respective north and south champions. A showpiece finals weekend will then be held with two teams from the north and two from the south to decide the National Playoff Championship. The date and venue of the finals weekend will be confirmed as soon as possible.

Division 2 playoff details are now confirmed. In D2 North (Laidler) the top four sides will contest a playoff weekend to decide their championship. D2 South (Wilkinson) will feature the top eight sides playing two legged quarter finals before the final four sides will contest a playoff weekend. Again dates and venues will be announced as soon as all details are confirmed.

Promotion and relegation between divisions in both the north and south have been aligned with both sides operating an automatic one up, one down system. In year one there will be no automatic relegation from D1 South (Britton) to enable to division to return to ten teams.

The LMC are pleased to confirm that a national cup competition for Division 1 sides will take place this season. Twelve sides will play initially in four regionalised groups, leading to knockout stages with an eventual National Cup Final.

Taking part in the NIHL National Cup are:

Group A: Billingham Stars, Blackburn Hawks, Solway Sharks

Group B: Sheffield Steeldogs, Peterborough Phantoms, Hull Pirates

Group C: Invicta Dynamos, London Raiders, Streatham IHC

Group D: Basingstoke Bison, Bracknell Bees, Swindon Wildcats

Group matches are two home, two away against the other teams for a total of eight games. The top two sides move to quarter finals to be held in early 2018.

Six clubs are also playing an Autumn Trophy which is scheduled to conclude by early December. The teams will play initially in two groups, playing one home and one away, before semi finals and final follow. The teams are split as follows:

GearGeek is the world's first online NHL equipment database. See what every active NHL player is using on the ice right now - sticks, gloves, pants, skates and helmets. You can sort by brands, teams, positions, stat leaders and more. GearGeek is free to use, and no registration needed. Check us out now!